OLE DB for OLAP 

Purpose

OLE DB (Object Linking and Embedding Database) defines a number of COM (Component Object Model)-based interfaces that encapsulate the services of database management systems. These interfaces provide the applications with unified access to data from different sources.

OLE DB for OLAP (OLE DB for Online Analytical Processing) is an interface specification for database-independent access to relational and multidimensional data. This specification is now considered to be the industry standard.

ADO MD (ActiveX Data Objects Multidimensional): In connection with a multidimensional data provider that corresponds to the OLE DB for OLAP standard (MDP), ADO MD enables especially easy access to multidimensional data. ADO MD enhances ADO with multidimensional objects.

OLE DB and ADO form the core of Universal Data Access, Microsoft's concept for universal access to data in different formats using a single technology.

The figure below shows Microsoft's concept of Universal Data Access:

OLE DB for OLAP distinguishes between the following types of components:

...

       1.      Consumer: Part of a system or application code that requires access to data and uses an OLE-DB interface. OLE-DB-enabled data consumers can efficiently access all relational databases using the available ODBC driver.

       2.      Provider:

-         Data Provider: OLE-DB provider that provides the data of the source as Rowset in tabular form.

-         Service Component: Additional OLE-DB component that does not provide data. Instead, it encapsulates services to ensure the functionality necessary for the consumer.

The implementation of OLE DB for OLAP (ODBO) in BI enables consumers to query data from the BI OLAP server. If client applications use the OLE DB for OLAP interface directly at system level, this ensures the best possible control and flexibility. Clients can also use the high level programming interface ADO MD. This interface enables VB (Visual Basic) and VB script applications to access OLE DB for OLAP. More information: Multidimensional Interfaces and MDX as Basis of the Interfaces.

OLE DB for OLAP is suitable as the front-end interface of BI if the following points are significant:

●      Support by the manufacturer of OLAP providers and consumers

●      Use of the OLE DB architecture for reusable and parallel components

●      Use of BI OLAP BAPIs to drive generic OLAP tools

●      Simplification of the requests to application development by ADO MD

●      Execution of OLAP services on each provider without data needing to be transformed

Implementation Notes

The BI implementation of the OLE DB for OLAP interface is based on Microsoft's OLE DB Programmer's Reference Version 2.7 (Part 3: OLE DB for OLAP).

More information: Installation of BI OLE DB for OLAP.

Restrictions

Note the following restrictions when you use OLE DB for OLAP as your front end to the BI system:

·         The result of development coordination between third parties and the BI system is checked in a test and certified. The integration of third parties nevertheless does not reach the degree of integration offered by the front end of the BI system.

·         The BI system is delivered with preconfigured information models (InfoSources, InfoCubes, queries). These models reflect the business experience of SAP and accelerate the introduction of BI. For third parties, the use of these information models is limited to InfoCubes. Standard queries are not offered. Accordingly, decision makers must expect a longer introductory period.